On February 17, the IDEX-2025 international arms exhibition will start in Abu Dhabi, ahead of which domestic arms manufacturers have announced a large number of new products. On the eve of the opening, Alexander Mikheev, head of Rosoboronexport, told TASS in an interview which Russian models would be of interest to Middle Eastern partners, and what expectations the special exporter has for the world premiere of the T-90MS tank, which is being exhibited abroad for the first time in a completely new look.
— With which countries of the Middle East does Russia have the warmest relations today in terms of exports of military products and military-technical cooperation and industrial partnership? Which Russian arms exports do you consider the most promising in the region today?
— Rosoboronexport conducts fruitful cooperation with almost all countries of the Middle East and North Africa. Today, their share in the company's order portfolio is about 50%. We are implementing and discussing with our partners projects on cooperation in the field of weapons and military equipment for all types of armed forces.
Taking into account the partners' desire to develop their own defense industry, Rosoboronexport's proposals for the implementation of projects in the field of technological cooperation for the joint development and production of modern military products are of particular interest. Today we are implementing more than 20 such projects with 10 countries and we estimate the prospect of significant growth in the coming years — several times.
Among the projects being discussed and implemented are the production of UAVs, precision—guided weapons, small arms on the territory of customers, and the joint development of armored vehicles with the adaptation of Russian combat modules of various calibers to the chassis of customers. We are also discussing projects for the joint development and production of fifth-generation aircraft, and the adaptation of Russia's latest guided missile aircraft to the aircraft of partner countries. We also plan to assist in the construction of centers for the repair and maintenance of armored vehicles and air defense systems.
Undoubtedly, special attention is being paid to samples of Russian weapons and military equipment being developed and upgraded for use in real combat conditions. All products presented by Rosoboronexport and Russian companies at IDEX-2025 meet the expectations of our partners in terms of adaptation to new realities and have great prospects in the Middle East.
It is in demand both as final products, for example, the T-90MS, and for technological cooperation or modernization of equipment available from partners. This also applies to the Berezhok combat compartment, which we propose to install on Russian-made infantry fighting vehicles available to the armies of the region.
— During 2024, manufacturers of Russian weapons successfully used during the special operation in Ukraine, including against Western equipment, announced the creation of new modifications with improved characteristics. Is there any interest in new products already, especially considering the success of previous modifications?
— Of course, our partners, especially in the Middle East, are traditionally interested in the latest high-tech designs that meet the latest trends in the global market. At IDEX-2025, we present the largest number of new military products that have been tested in high-intensity combat operations and faced with the most modern weapons of Western countries.
Among them are the T-90MS main battle tank in an updated appearance, taking into account the experience of modern combat operations, the Pantsir-SMD-E air defense system combat module with new TKB-1055 anti-aircraft guided missiles for UAV destruction, Kub-2-1E, Kub-2-2E anti-tank missiles, and ATGMKornet-EM with a remote control and a Bulat guided missile, Berezhok combat compartment for mounting on an infantry fighting vehicle chassis, Lancet-E barrage ammunition.
In addition, new aviation weapons presented at recent international exhibitions are of great interest. Among them are the multifunctional, low-visibility, high-precision cruise missile of the new generation Kh-69 and the anti-radar missile Kh-58USHKE, the guided missile Grom-E1, aircraft bombs: the corrected K08BE and the guided gliding UPAB-1500B-E.
We are already consulting with partners, including those from the Middle East region, on many of the presented samples. We are waiting for the guests at our exposition and the beginning of new fruitful projects.
— In the summer of 2024, Russia for the first time presented its unmanned boats for foreign customers — Vizir, Orkan and BACK-1000. Is Rosoboronexport expanding the range of products offered, and how interested are foreign customers in them? And are there any contracts for their supply or agreements on partnership in production?
— A segment of unmanned boats is being formed on the global market today. The participants determine the forms and methods of their use in relation to their own armed forces. Rosoboronexport develops marketing strategies, identifies potential customers and their needs, and consults with partners.
— The T-90MS tank is being exhibited abroad for the first time in a completely new look after modernization based on the study of the experience of modern combat operations in the SVO zone — mainly with various additional protection. Please tell us what expectations Rosoboronexport associates with this world premiere? Is there a growing demand for a car in this particular guise, and has it already been supplied to any foreign customers? What is the reaction of potential foreign customers to the footage of the updated machine in the free zone?
— When our partners learned that Rosoboronexport would bring the T-90MS Breakthrough tank to IDEX 2025, they were delighted. We have repeatedly heard reviews from generals of various armies of Middle Eastern countries that this is the best tank.
The sample tank we exhibit incorporates the most advanced technologies and new technical solutions. It is equipped with dynamic protection, lattice screens, UAV electronic countermeasures, and the principle of differentiated booking is implemented in it. Thanks to this, it is protected from attack UAVs, FPV drones, ATGM and RPGs.
The tank has a new fire control system of the "digital board" type, integrated information and control command systems and other innovative solutions have been introduced into its design. The T-90MS has increased firepower due to the provision of new armor-piercing sub-caliber, high-explosive shells with remote detonation and guided missiles.
Rosoboronexport expects an increase in interest in this car both at the exhibition itself and after it. First of all, from partners from the Middle East and North Africa, who know Russian armored vehicles well, appreciate their reliability and efficiency. And, of course, we invite all friendly countries to cooperate.
